Colorado Springs Real Estate Blog - Kathy Torline - Nordstrom

Getting ready to sell your home?

Get a Free Market Analysis on your Home, Email KTorline@msn.com or call 719-287-1049

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You cleaned your home, priced it right and still no one wants to purchase. Second showings are rare. Do you have pets in your home?

Here's some advise to all pet owners trying to sell their home in Colorado Springs. I have two dogs, so I know what a joy they are to me and my family. I also know what they can leave behind while they're doing their business.

Even though I understand the joy and delight that you glean from your pets, not all potential buyers will share the same joy. Fear, allergies or the feeling of uncleanliness could be factors when buyers are considering your home. The best thing you can do is to try and alleviate these factors. With so many homes for sale right now, anything that you can do to showcase your home in a better light could mean a faster sale. So here's some tips that could help.

#1- have your carpets professionally cleaned especially where there's high traffic from the pets. If its worn, consider replacing it or perhaps put in tile or other types of flooring.

#2- Remove your pets during showings. I know its not always easy, but its usually safer for the pets and the potential buyers.

#3-If you're unable to take them for a walk or otherwise occupy them during a showing, please crate them as you never know how they'll react when strangers come in. If you can't crate them, then put them in a room out of the way (ie laundry) and leave a note not to enter. If the buyers would like to see the area, they can arrange a second showing when you're able to remove them and they can wee the room.

#4- clean up the yard of all droppings and put away food and water dishes. Make sure that the kitty litter is clean and fresh smelling. You might not notice the smell but other people will and that can certainly turn off any potential buyer.

So, remember, to hide all sights and smells of your animals and you and they could be enjoying a new place soon

Original Article was posted at: Are you a pet owner trying to sell your home

Remember, Knowledge is Power

It's time for Renters to be Careful!

Search for Homes in Colorado Springs

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Sorry to say, with the current foreclosures hitting the Colorado Springs housing market, renters need to do some extra homework before they rent a house in Colorado Springs. There have been a variety of stories that have hit the local news media about renters moving into a house that is going into foreclosure, then they get evicted. Here's a couple of steps that a renter can do to help them prevent from being evicted for no fault of their own.

• Check the El Paso County Assessors office (www.elpasoco.com) and see who owns the property. Make sure you are actually talking to the landlord (owner) of the property. If you are talking to a management company, make sure they are authorized to rent the property.

  • There have been a couple of occasions where renters have paid their rent payment and deposit to people who don't even own the property. Essentially they "take the money and run".

• Check the Public Trustee office in El Paso County (www.elpasopublictrustee.com) and make sure the property isn't going through foreclosure. It's a very comprehensive web site and you can search by address for any property in El Paso County.
  • If the property has started the pre-foreclosure process; you can find out the status and the actual sale date of the property.

• Ask for references. It doesn't hurt to talk to others who have leased properties from the landlord.

• Don't pay for months of rent in advance.
  • If they are asking for 3 months rent, plus a security deposit, question why.
• If something seems to good to be true, it probably is.

Original Article was posted at: Renters, do your due dilegence

Remember, Knowledge is Power

A Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Selling HOMES in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.Kathytorline.com & www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Posted by KAT

For a Free Colorado Springs Relocation Guide, Email Kathy Torline at KTorline@msn.com

What's the big deal about Radon?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) and the Surgeon General's Office have estimated that as many as 20,000 lung cancer deaths are caused each year by radon and it is is the second leading cause of lung cancer.

Inspection Time

In Colorado Springs, a radon test can be requested by a buyer during a home inspection. If radon levels are high (4 pCi/L or higher) the installation of a mitigation system can become a negotiable item on the Inspection Resolution Form.

What is it?

Radon is formed by the natural radioactive decay of uranium in rock, soil, and water. It can be found in all 50 states. Once produced, radon moves through the ground to the air above. Some remains below the surface and dissolves in water that collects and flows under the ground's surface. According to some research information I found, the average indoor radon levels of El Paso County, as determined by radon test results from Air Chek, Inc, is 7.5 pCi/L

How does it get in my home?

It can enter homes and buildings through cracks in floors, walls or foundations. Radon can also be in your water, especially well water

How do it get tested?

Two cannisters are placed in the lowest part of the home that was finished. The cannisters are placed 4 inches apart, and exposed for the same time period. The house is closed up for 12 hours prior to the test. The cannisters are then removed and taken to a testing center.

There are also inspectors who use an electronic radon dector plugged into an electrical outlet. Results can quickly be downloaded and read.

Additional Resources:

• EPA publication
• EPA Map.
• Colorado Map
• Colorado Department of Public Heatlh and Enviroment

The original article was posted at: Radon testing is important in Colorado Springs

Previous Posts

A Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Selling HOMES in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.Kathytorline.com & www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Posted by KAT

Home Repair Bargains

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If you're passionate about good deals and like to help support a good cause, then you're in luck. You can visit the Habitat For Humanity ReStore in Colorado Springs, Colorado - one of over 500 such stores around the country

The store is similar to a Goodwill or Salvation Army; they are outlets that accept items for resale and are stocked with donations from individuals, contractors, and even retailers. Their inventory includes a variety of things for do-it-yourself projects including light fixtures, paint, sinks, appliances, cabinets, and flooring. Proceeds from the sales go build and rehabilitate homes for low-income families.

The local store in Colorado Springs is at:

• 411 S. Wahsatch Avenue, 80903
• 719-667-0840

There is also a store in Denver (70 Rio Grande Blvd.) To see a complete list of the stores in the Colorado Area, visit the web site.

To donate, volunteer, or to find out more, visit www.habitat.org.

Original Article was posted at: Looking for home repair bargains?

A Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Selling HOMES in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Manitou Springs, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake

www.Kathytorline.com & www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate

Posted by KAT

Falcon Homes

Market information for Active and Foreclosure Homes in Falcon As of 10-15-09

For a FREE list of Foreclosure Homes, Email KTorline@msn.com

Active Homes for Sale: 89

Breakdown of homes for sale, INCLUDING FORECLOSURES, as of 10-15-09

• Short sales: 11 (12.4%)
• HUD: 5 (5.6%)
• Government Owned: 1 (1.1%)
• VA: 1 (1.1%)
• Bank-owned: 4 (4.5%)
• Regular: 67 (75.3%)

Partial list of Foreclosed homes currently on the market

This Colorado Springs Real Estate report contains information on homes in Falcon Colorado Springs.

This information is taken from the Pikes Peak Realtor Services Corp and is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.

Posted by Kathy Torline - Nordstrom

KAT, A Colorado Springs Real Estate Agent You Can Trust

Selling Real Estate in El Paso & Douglas County; including Colorado Springs, Monument, Fountain, Larkspur, Pueblo, Castle Rock, Woodland Park, Palmer Lake, Woodland Park

www.Kathytorline.com and www.ColoradoSpringsVintageHomes.com

Colorado Springs Real Estate